Kooky Style Finds | Ichabod & Gaga Make A Baby

The more I plunder the Etsy marketplace, the more bizarre and and wonderful the little hand-crafted treasures become.  I've been so delighted with the variety and creativity of the little notions I've found, Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters seem to hold my interest less and less. 
Ichabod Crane and Lady Gaga would be terribly pleased at my latest find....

Johnny depp as ichabod crane
Johnny Depp as Ichabod Crane
Lady Gaga with a mermaid umbrella
Lady Gaga


I'm assuming you know where this is going.  But in case it isn't clear enough, remember the Alejandro video?





I. Cannot. Wait. Until. Lenscrafters. Catches. On.  Say hello to the new hipster.  The anti-hipster.  The "I-genuinely-don't-give-a-rat's-ass", baditude.  
Ray-bans are cool and everything, but they have prudish appeal at best compared to these bizarre and beautiful optical contraptions by Mann & Co.While Mann & Co advertises these as "Steampunk", I say wear them with your wholesome 1940's picnic clothes.  On your bicycle.  With something like these...



The Moody Bohemian Biker

steampunk goggles in black leather
Blackened Brass & Black Leather with Gears, $200
Altuzarra fall 2012 style

Altuzarra, Fall 2012





The Optimistic Bohemian
 At a Weekend Soiree?


Gold brass and brown leather steampunk goggles
Solid Brass & Brown Leather, $170

givenchy fall 2012 style


Givenchy, Fall 2012




Polished Conservative
And Closeted Style Kook

brass and brown leather steampunk goggles
Leather & Brass, $140

Gucci fall 2012 style
Gucci, Fall 2012



They've got the old-world, Victorian nerd appeal of Ichabod, and the striking shock appeal of Gaga.  All expertly hand crafted, using delicious leather and elegant metals. 
And if the price seems rather steep, remind yourself that all you need to justify the practicality of these little babies is a motorcycle, a chemistry lab, or a welding kit.  Yeah.  Switch the lenses out for all your different eyeball risking activities.  These things are deceptively functional.




We Can Danse Macabre in Summer Too

Why am I thinking of skulls and gnarly little creatures in the middle of summer?   
Maybe it's so disgustingly hot out I would be more comfortable as a skeleton.  Preferably a skeleton marionette, with someone else pulling the strings, so that I can spend my own waning energy locating  ice buckets.  Full of....ice.  And possibly champagne. 
Or maybe I'm sick of seeing polyester blend jersey dresses in all the colors of the rainbow paired with plastic flip flops - also in all the colors of the rainbow.  Please don't misunderstand me- there is nothing wrong with color!  Except for when it has no chutzpah, and also lacks direction.  (Please Note: There is also nothing wrong with plastic flip flops! As long as they are restricted to garden or poolside use.  And judiciously, at that.  And polyester blends are absolutely fine!  As long as we are talking about upholstered lawn furniture, of course.) 
As a natural arse, it is my duty (and my pleasure!) to bring a few summery skeletons out of the closet.  Fear not - these are no icky Debbie Downers.  Just a few splashes of good old-fashioned, lighthearted macabre to lend a bit of balance to a lively wardrobe.   
If you're not convinced yet that this is an excellent idea, lets start off with something undeniably beachy...belly button jewelry.  Oh yes I did.


Bat Skull Belly Button Ring by Moon Raven Designs, $28
  
This enchanting little devil, cast from a real bat's skull, is enough to make me re-think the whole belly button thing.  No offense or anything, but I always sort of associated navel piercings with surfers, porn stars, and Jersey girls.   
Yes, my bad.  Shame on me.  I totally get it now.  And I would LOVE to have this hanging from my navel.  It's just so wrong, it's right.  It also completely justifies pasty skin at the beach. Dear Goths & Metalheads: See you in the sunlight! 
Just to be sure you don't run out of ideas, here are a few other trinkets to lend some worldly charm to our plethora of diaphanous, summery dresses.... 



Similar Hand-Carved Deer Antler Skull by Braincase
Chloe, Spring 2012

There's something really easy about this superlong, supersheer dress with a long, delicate skull pendant. 
The key with the skull jewelry is to mix it with something that isn't gimicky.  It makes more of a statement when paired with something elegant and minimal.  Feminine, but never girly.  Pink frills and roses with skulls is not ironic.  It's just detestable.  




Peter Pan Skull Collar by FrancisFrank, $28
Chloe, Spring 2012


This exemplifies my idea of properly cheeky office attire (swap the shorts for a white pencil skirt).  Add the peter pan skull collar on top of the button down, and it becomes a rather lively "Day of the Dead".   




Similar Skeleton Bangle by Turquoise City
Gold Bat Bangle by FrostedWillow, $17
Alice & Olivia Spring 2012

These three darlings go together like good old fashioned bread, butter, and pickles.  I would wear this Alice and Olivia ensemble with a gold bangle on each wrist.  Keep the green pumps for the office, and exchange for leather gladiator sandals on the weekend. 
It would be awfully fun to dig around in the picnic basket with these devilish little talismans flanking a wholesome, pastel skirt.  Don't you think?




Similar Sterling Silver Claw Ring by Skeletos, $76
Blue Diamond 18k Gold Stackable Rings, $94 each
Lanvin, Spring 2012


Cocktail Hour = The Only Hour that Really Matters 

Obviously, rings are my go-to adornments.  Pair this ethereal aqua frock with the dangerously pointy Raven's claw ring, some sort of Balenciaga-esque biker heel in black leather, and a super dark smokey eye.  Later wear it with the dainty stackable gold skull rings, blush colored satin heels, and very vampy cat-eye liner, a la Dita Von-Teese.

And so ends my little chapter on how to adulterate (enrich!) the nonsensical notion that summer is all about flowers, bright colors, butterflies, laughing children, and tooting trumpets.
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